§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to include generic soluble paracetamol on the restricted list of drugs available on National Health Service prescription; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if, where a general practitioner prescribes a generic soluble paracetamol, the chemist is entitled to a reimbursement from National Health Service funds;
59W(3) if he will ask the review committee on the limited list to consider a generic soluble paracetamol for inclusion in the limited list; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what considerations have guided him in deciding which soluble paracetamol preparations (a) are and (b) are not included within the selected list of drugs prescribed at National Health expense.
§ Mr. HayhoeSince the introduction of the selected list scheme, two strengths of liquid paracetamol have remained prescribable by generic name and reimbursable on the National Health Service: Paracetamol Elixir Paediatric 120mg/5ml and Paracetamol Mixture 250mg/5ml. The advisory committee on National Health Service drugs, which gives independent expert advice on the preparations which should be available on NHS prescription, has reviewed liquid paracetamol preparations and endorsed the retention of the two drugs mentioned above.